After Chancellor David K. Scott announced that he would be resigning at the end of the upcoming semester, the University of Massachusetts administration is undergoing further changes in the New Year.
The Dartmouth campus’ interim Chancellor, Dr. Jean MacCormack, became President William Bulger’s selection to fill the role permanently. Bulger announced his choice on Dec. 29.
In a released statement to the press, Bulger explained his decision.
‘Dr. MacCormack has been a superb leader since becoming interim chancellor 14 months ago and was strongly recommended by the search committee that reviewed the qualifications of the more than 50 candidates,’ the statement read. ‘Jean MacCormack is the right leader for the Dartmouth campus.’
‘I am eager to continue my work here as the permanent chancellor. The potential I see, both on the campus and in the region, excites me tremendously,’ MacCormack said. ‘The Dartmouth campus abounds with strengths: its rich liberal arts core, its expertise in marine science and technology, its recognized commitment to student learning, and its growing and vital graduate programs and research agenda.’
MacCormack’s appointment will be voted on at the Feb. 7 meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The Boston campus will also be getting a new chief.
On the same day MacCormack’s appointment was announced, Bulger named David MacKenzie acting Chancellor. MacKenzie was the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance for the Boston campus.
‘He has the ideal background to manage the Boston campus during this period of transition, and prepare the campus for the arrival of a new chancellor,’ Bulger said of MacKenzie.
The announcement came one week after the Boston Search Committee forwarded four names to the President’s office. The four names were finalists for the permanent Chancellor’s position.
On the Amherst campus, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Cora B. Marrett, is a finalist in the search for the presidency of Iowa State University. There are three other finalists.
Marrett visited the Ames, Iowa campus on Jan. 17. She gave her thoughts on several issues, including diversity and sexual orientation.
‘For me, a push for diversity is not just a question of what is this going to mean for under-represented groups,’ Marrett said. ‘It’s what does it mean for broadening the opportunities, broadening the experiences of an entire institution.’
‘When I think about sexual orientation, that’s a part of someone’s life, not all of what’s there. I don’t define all of someone’s life on the basis of their sexual orientation. The same way, I’m bothered when assumptions are made, based on someone’s geographical homeland, race or ethnicity.’
Marrett stressed the idea of community during the forum, which drew more than a hundred people.
‘If you’re talking about people being a part of community, use resources to ensure that everyone is fully a part of that community,’ said Marrett.
The Board of Regents for ISU is expected to make a decision about ISU’s next President by Feb. 1.
The interim Vice Chancellor for Outreach, Robert Helgesen, will retire next October. Marrett appointed Helgesen last July. He had been the Dean of the College of Food and Natural Resources.
Helgesen cites intellectual curiosity as his reason for departure.
‘I’ve been an administrator for more than 21 years,’ said Helgesen, ‘and during that time, I’ve had to set aside many of my intellectual interests. I look forward to having the time and energy to finally be able to pursue some of those interests in my retirement.’
Helgesen praises the campus’ dedication to outreach, which he sees as important to the fulfillment of the University’s mission.
‘I’ve been very pleased to discover an interest in outreach from all segments of the campus,’ Helgesen said. ‘Our outreach opportunities represent not only the University’s land-grant interests, but also have the potential to serve as important sources of revenue to augment state funding to the campus.’
